Morning, noon and night, family or friends, freaky or chilled out? Calcutta has discovered what it is to hang out. Whether they are multi-utility centres or standalone destinations, the city finally has a vast palette of entertainment to offer, in an array of hues. Goodlife will take a weekly walk through some of the hottest hotspots of the city in HOT HANGOUT...

Starting point

INOX at City Centre, DC Block, Salt Lake, Sector I.

Raison d??tre

Scores just for being the first cinema hall, leave alone multiplex, in the township. Now, the movie has become just an alibi for an evening of fun.

Feet figures

The multilevel complex is spread over 30,000 sq ft with four auditoriums and two Refuel food counters at Level I and Level II. The combined seating capacity is 1,144.

USP

A DJ playing in the lobby, a large-screen television that is top draw during cricket matches, with crowds spilling out of the glass doors and into the open spaces of the mall.

?We organise various events for amateurs like DJ hunts, exhibitions etc. The entire lobby was literally turned into a village when the movie The Village was released. There is always something happening here to catch the imagination of the people,? stresses Subhasis Ganguli, general manager, INOX City Centre.

Crowd count

In a regular week, 15,000 to 18,000 movie-goers visit the multiplex. However, during festivities like Diwali and Durga puja, the footfall invariably increases by nearly 30 to 40 per cent.

Fee factor

If you are hit by a cash crunch, catch a movie in the morning when the rates of the tickets are lower. Weekend evening shows will pinch the hardest. The rates are flexible, depending on demand for the movie.

Family fun

Family factor rules on weekends, as is common to the City Centre crowd. ?It is a one-of-its-kind destination in Salt Lake, so it has caught the fancy of residents. There is something for everybody in the family. If somebody doesn?t want to watch a movie, he can roam around or just sit back and relax,? feels Nitu Gupta of IB Block. Office-goers normally unwind in the evening while younger browsers can be found through the day.

Multi matter

If Bride and Prejudice and Veer-Zaara are not on your agenda, soak in the feel of the place. Shake a leg to tracks rolled out by the DJ at the foyer.

Munch menu

The vegetarian offering is a big draw. Apart from the regular fare of pizzas, burgers, hot dogs and soft drinks, weekends see a special menu for families. Chola Bhatura, Aloo Ke Parathe and Dahi Vadas are some of the scrumptious delights served up.

But any time of the week, flavoured popcorn ? caramel, chilly tomato and cheddar cheese ? is the biggest draw. This Level I food counter is accessible to everyone irrespective of their purchasing a ticket or not.

Hectic hub

If spending time and getting lost in the crowd is your idea of fun, it is better to drop by in the evenings when the mall comes alive and the DJ starts playing his music. With such a plethora of options in this cineplex, there?s little chance for getting even a tad bored.